distant. He was in New York. I knew I must be dreaming and I didn’t want to wake up. I missed him. I rolled over to look at the clock- nine. I’d slept for several hours. An odd light was coming from the wall. As I sat up and focused my eyes, I heard Henry’s voice again. I finally realized that the light was coming from the intercom system. I pushed the talk button, curious.
“Hello.”
I waited for a reply.
“You’re awake.”
“Tru?”
“Come and find me.”
“I thought…you’re not coming back till tomorrow.”
“A necessary lie.”
“For what?”
“For your surprise. Come find me.”
“How am I supposed to do that?”
“Walk out onto the veranda. I’ll see you soon.”
The light went off and I practically flew out of bed. I pulled the drapes back and opened the doors. My yard was transformed into a fantasy. Walking out, I could see glass hurricanes with candles inside lighting the path for as far as the eye could see. Their light danced off the trees and made the moon feel jealous. I ran back in to brush my teeth and wash my face. A little perfume wouldn’t hurt. I refreshed my curls with some water and took a calming deep breath. I was too excited to change into the racy lingerie hiding in my dresser. I had to find him
The walk was pure magic. Along the center of the path, Henry had left two wrapped boxes with attached instructions. The first was a silver antique box. A black ribbon, tied in a magnificent bow, kept it closed. I knelt down to discover its contents. Inside was an old Walker family bible. Names of his ancestors graced the first few pages and it made me feel anxious about touching the aged paper. Walking on, I came upon another silver wrapped present that contained a blue negligee. I considered changing into the lingerie, but felt too modest to change in the open; especially with the path so beautifully lit. Carrying them both with me, I wondered what was in store for this night.
When the path luminaries stopped and the boardwalk began, I could see the torches that lit the long peer, ending at the boat house. I couldn’t see him yet. I was a little nervous. The light from the torches skipped across the water playfully. I felt Henry pulling me to him. Our connection seemed stronger than ever. Stepping onto the pier, I made my way slowly, trying to savor each step closer to my destiny. Life had dealt us some unfair blows, but we’d survived them together. After all these years, we would make love and celebrate the future.
The boathouse was closed on three sides, but open in the back, giving a view of the water. It used to hold John’s racing boat, but now we just used it for fishing or swimming. We didn’t even keep chairs down there, due to our infrequent visits.
I walked all the way to the end and stopped to cherish what was about to take place. When I turned back toward the boathouse, I saw him standing amidst a hundred lit candles. Large floor pillows were piled in the back as a make-shift bed. Music was softly serenading us and a single tear of joy fell from my eye. Every cell of my being was truly happy. My white gown flowed back and forth as the breeze touched my body. He held out his hand and I walked to him. Taking the boxes from me, he placed them on a candlelit table.
“You found me.”
“When did you do all this?”
“Why do you think I worked you so hard today? I needed you to sleep.”
“This is amazing.”
He took me into the boathouse and kissed me gently on the lips.
“Dance with me,” he said sweetly.
He pulled me close, placing my hands on his chest. We barely made it to the chorus before he unbuttoned my gown and watched it slide down my body to the floor. I stood there, almost naked, unbuttoning his shirt- my eyes never leaving his. As I pulled it down off his arms, he kissed me passionately, stopping once to memorize my curves. His hands traced my outline as I unbuttoned his pants and watched them fall. I kissed him like it was the first time, my legs cradled upward as he lifted me off the ground, carrying me over to the mountain of pillows he’d assembled. He paused to run his fingers across the scar that graced my lower abdomen. I felt a